AST SpaceMobile came a step close to offering faster direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service with the news Friday that it expects to gain access to more spectrum. The additional spectrum is expected to boost the speeds that AST SpaceMobile can offer.
The company will be playing a key role in a pending settlement involving litigation between the spectrum holder — Ligado Networks — and Inmarsat/Viasat.
The three parties — AST SpaceMobile, Ligado, and Inmarsat/Viasat — announced a settlement term sheet that calls for AST to gain long-term spectrum usage rights to 40 MHz of L-band spectrum in the U.S. and Canada and an additional 5 MHz in the 1670-1675 MHz band in the U.S. Those bands traditionally have been used for other types of satellite services.
The usage rights would be for more than 80 years.
Viasat is a global company that owns satellite operator Inmarsat. Ligado is the company formerly known as LightSquared that has had ongoing financial difficulties.
The D2D Difference
Unlike traditional satellite phone service, D2D services do not require specialized devices but instead work with customers’ cellphones.
AST SpaceMobile already has access to spectrum in the 850 MHz band traditionally used for cellular service. The company has deals with AT&T and Verizon to use that spectrum to support nationwide D2D service.
AST SpaceMobile said previously that gaining access to the additional 45 MHz of spectrum will enable the company to deliver peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps. Those plans also will rely on the next generation of the company’s satellites, which feature up to 2,400 square-foot communications arrays.
Because the Ligado spectrum wasn’t initially intended to work with cell phones, many cell phone models currently in use will not work in those bands. But some device makers already support that capability and more options are expected to be available in the future.
AST SpaceMobile doesn’t expect to offer service directly to end users but instead has deals with AT&T, Verizon, and others to market the service.
The Settlement Plans
Assuming the plans outlined in the settlement term sheet are approved, AST SpaceMobile will pay Ligado $550 million for the spectrum rights, and Ligado will pass $535 million of it on to Inmarsat to settle a suit that Inmarsat filed against Ligado. In addition, Ligado agrees to resume quarterly payments to Inmarsat.
Additional information about the settlement plans can be found in this AST SpaceMobile press release and in this Viasat press release.
Image source: AST SpaceMobile
